I recall as a child riding along Riverside Drive or the Airport Road, and only seeing an occasional angler fishing this section of the Mattagami River.
When I asked the Timmins MNRF branch if there was a lack of fish or a decrease in the Lake Sturgeon population during this time due to forestry and overharvesting, they replied: "It’s hard to speculate today what effects logging would have had on the various fish species that live in the Mattagami River almost 100 years ago.”
The MNRF continued to explain that “sturgeon and other fish species, we do not have data to confirm when or if sturgeon disappeared from the section of Mattagami River from Wawaitin Generating Station to Lower Sturgeon Generating. Nor do we have data to confirm or refute the decline of other species within this section.”
From 1988-1991, the boat launch on the river was built as part of a multi-phase waterfront development plan that was initiated during former Mayor Dennis Welin's term.
The plan was to develop the Mattagami River area as hub of economic growth and tourist activity.
The first multi species fishing tournament was held in 1987, according to Kiwanis Club President Mark Mayer.
This tournament was held on this section of the Mattagami river from 1987 to 1993.
Due to the growing number of participates, the tournament was moved to Kenogamissi Lake in 1994.
In 2002, the Timmins Fur Council and Club Navigateur partnered along with MNR, OPG and Domtar to transfer 50 adult sturgeon from Little Long north of Fraserdale into the Mattagami River.
Today, studies show different year classes of Lake Sturgeon as anglers report catching and releasing them.
A finial report on the Sturgeon Transplant Project will be available sometime in 2016.
In 2009 the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge And Festival held its one-day event as part of the City of Timmins' Centennial Celebration.
Due to the overwhelming response from area paddlers, the Kayak Challenge is now entering into their seventh year and is said to be the "Best in Class" paddling event.
Growing from the original one-day outing to a three day event, the Kayak Challenge has drawn paddlers from Michigan, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, UK, Chile, GTA, and Eastern, Southwestern and Northern Ontario.
Who knows, maybe one day we'll see a Kayak Fishing Tournament held on the Mattagami River.
In 2011, a set of docks was purchased for the Kayak Challenge next to the boat ramp on the river.
With requests from the city’s residents, the docks are now placed in the river shortly after ice out each year so anglers can have a chance to fish for Walleye before the season is closed for the spawn.
These docks are a welcome addition to the Mattagami River.
The City of Timmins has also added a walkway and dock that are wheelchair accessible.
Both city residents and visitors enjoy spending time fishing off of the docks or just catching a cool breeze during a warm summer day.
Today, with what appears to me to be a healthier population of Walleye, Yellow Perch, Cisco, Whitefish, Northern Pike, White Suckers, and now Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass, the docks offer a great opportunity for anglers to catch one or more of these fish species from one area.
Who knows, you might even catch a Dinosaur (Lake Sturgeon) from the docks.
Residents and visitors to the city are now able enjoy walking/bike paths that follow the section of the Mattagami River from the Riverside Bridge to the Laforest Bridge on either side of the river.
Over the years I have witness many positive changes to this section of the Mattagami River between the Wawaitin Dam and Sandy Falls Dam.
From a once under-utilize section of river, to a busy section with anglers, pleasure boats, pontoon boats, and kayaks.
The good old days aren't gone, they've just begun.
Who knows, maybe one day we'll see docks and a pathway from the river up to Pizza Hut so residents and visitors can dock, walk up to grab something to eat, or to pick up some bait at Dumoulin Fishing and Tackle.
Maybe even a dock at the dirt boat launch located on Norman St., so people could walk up and have either lunch or dinner at Cedar Meadows.
What about a couple more boat launches along different sections of the river?
I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I did writing it, and the next time you drive along the Mattagami River, look at it with different pair of eyes.
Although I only briefly touched on the history of the Mattagami River, I encourage anyone that is interested in further information, to please visit or contact one of the following places that I have obtained the information from for this article.
They are as follows:
- Karen Bachmann, director/curator at the Timmins Museum
- Guy Lamarche, of the Kayak Challenge
- Glenn Thurston, Manager of Parks, Recreation and Building Services for the city of Timmins
- Patrick Sequin, Manager of Engineering for the city of Timmins
- Kathryn Lyzun, of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
I would also like to Thank Mr. Jim Gibb and Mr. Mark Mayer for helping to provide me with other information for this article.
Whether you're an angler or hunter; a camp, lodge, resort owner; or just holding an outdoor event and would like some exposure, please feel free to email us at [email protected]
